Bridging Global Calls to Local Action: Advancing Cardiovascular Equity for Women in Brazil

The Global Burden of Disease 2023 highlights the catastrophic impact of cardiovascular disease, accounting for 19.2 million deaths worldwide in 2023. Women experience 20% higher post-myocardial infarction mortality, a greater prevalence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, and faster-rising metabolic risks (such as body mass index) compared with men. Critically, 79.6% of the global cardiovascular burden is attributable to modifiable risk factors – including high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, diet, and air pollution – yet age-standardized rates remain highest in low-income settings, where women are disproportionately affected.^,

Evidence consistently shows that women face specific disadvantages across the cardiovascular care continuum.^– They are more likely to experience late, missed, or misdiagnosed heart disease, driven by gaps in symptom recognition, male-centered diagnostic pathways, underrepresentation in research, and fragmented care.^, These systemic inequities contribute to delayed diagnosis and poorer treatment outcomes for women.

[…]